Replacing Spark PlugsReplacing Spark Plugs

Hua S. WuHua S. Wu

English 393English 393

December 10, 2009December 10, 2009

AgendaAgenda

• Purpose to replace spark plugsPurpose to replace spark plugs• PrerequisitesPrerequisites• Step1: Select the spark plugsStep1: Select the spark plugs• Step2: Remove the spark plugsStep2: Remove the spark plugs• Step3: Inspect the spark plugsStep3: Inspect the spark plugs• Step4: Install the spark plugsStep4: Install the spark plugs• TroubleshootingTroubleshooting

Purpose to replace spark Purpose to replace spark plugsplugs

• PurposePurpose- Improve fuel economy - Improve fuel economy - Prevent emission system failure- Prevent emission system failure- Keep your car in top running condition- Keep your car in top running condition

• Spark plugs are used to ignite the fuel and air Spark plugs are used to ignite the fuel and air mixture inside the engine to make the engine mixture inside the engine to make the engine runrun

• Spark plugs are easy to replace (Tune-up is the Spark plugs are easy to replace (Tune-up is the term used for replacement of spark plugs)term used for replacement of spark plugs)

• Usually takes half to an hour to replaceUsually takes half to an hour to replace

Purpose to replace spark Purpose to replace spark plugsplugs

• Safety informationSafety information- Wear latex gloves- Wear latex gloves- Wear safety goggles - Wear safety goggles

• Equipments neededEquipments needed- Socket sets- Socket sets- Screwdrivers (Phillips or Slotted)- Screwdrivers (Phillips or Slotted)- Spark plug socket- Spark plug socket- Extension (Swivel or straight)- Extension (Swivel or straight)- Torque wrench (3/8 inch)- Torque wrench (3/8 inch)

PrerequisitesPrerequisites KnowledgeKnowledge

- Basic hand tool skills- Basic hand tool skills - 3 major types of ignition systems- 3 major types of ignition systems 1. Distributor ignition system1. Distributor ignition system

2. Coil-on-plug ignition system2. Coil-on-plug ignition system

PrerequisitesPrerequisites

3. Waste-spark ignition system3. Waste-spark ignition system

MaterialsMaterials

- Spark plugs - Spark plugs

Step1: Select the spark plugsStep1: Select the spark plugs

• Check for the replacement interval (driver’s Check for the replacement interval (driver’s

handbook) handbook) • Selection of spark plugs (Parts stores: Selection of spark plugs (Parts stores:

Advance Advance

Auto Parts, Carquest, Autozone, Napa Store)Auto Parts, Carquest, Autozone, Napa Store)

* Import cars: NGK, Denso* Import cars: NGK, Denso

* European cars: NGK, Bosch* European cars: NGK, Bosch

* Domestic cars: NGK, Champion, * Domestic cars: NGK, Champion, ACDelcoACDelco

Step2a: Remove the spark plugs Step2a: Remove the spark plugs – Remove the cover and – Remove the cover and

connectorsconnectors• Remove the engine cover Remove the engine cover

(if equipped)(if equipped)

• Disconnect the ignition Disconnect the ignition coil connectors (as coil connectors (as shown in A)shown in A)

Step2b: Remove the spark plugs Step2b: Remove the spark plugs – Remove the ignition coils– Remove the ignition coils

• Remove the nuts Remove the nuts

which secure the which secure the

ignition coilsignition coils• Gently pull up the Gently pull up the

ignition coilsignition coils

Step2c: Remove the spark plugs Step2c: Remove the spark plugs – Remove the spark plugs– Remove the spark plugs

• Connect the spark plug Connect the spark plug socket, extension and the ratchetsocket, extension and the ratchet

• Insert the spark plug Insert the spark plug socket into the cylinder headsocket into the cylinder head

• Loosen the spark plug in Loosen the spark plug in counter-clockwise directioncounter-clockwise direction

• Gently loosen the spark plug Gently loosen the spark plug by hand and pull out the by hand and pull out the spark plugspark plug

Step3: Inspect the spark Step3: Inspect the spark plugsplugs

• Check for the condition Check for the condition

of the removed spark of the removed spark

plugsplugs• Diagnosis of Spark Diagnosis of Spark

Plug ProblemsPlug Problems

http://www.gsparkplug.com/extras/http://www.gsparkplug.com/extras/fault_diagnosis/fault_diagnosis/

Step4a: Install the spark plugs – Step4a: Install the spark plugs – Install the spark plugsInstall the spark plugs

• Insert the new spark plugInsert the new spark plug

in the spark plug socketin the spark plug socket• Tighten the spark plug Tighten the spark plug

by handby hand• Set up the torque on the Set up the torque on the

torque wrench to torque wrench to

manufacturer’s specificationmanufacturer’s specification

Step4a: Install the spark plugs – Step4a: Install the spark plugs – Install the spark plugsInstall the spark plugs

• Torque the spark plug until the torque Torque the spark plug until the torque wrench “click”wrench “click”

• Repeat these steps for the remaining Repeat these steps for the remaining spark plugs spark plugs

• Remove the torque wrench and spark Remove the torque wrench and spark plug socketplug socket

Step4b: Install the spark plugs – Step4b: Install the spark plugs – Install the coilsInstall the coils

• Insert the ignition coilsInsert the ignition coils back to the cylinder head back to the cylinder head gentlygently

• Tighten the nuts byTighten the nuts by hand to secure the coilshand to secure the coils• Torque the nuts withTorque the nuts with torque wrench with torque wrench with manufacturer’s specificationmanufacturer’s specification

Step4c: Install the spark plugs – Step4c: Install the spark plugs – Install the cover and connectorsInstall the cover and connectors

• Connect the ignition coil Connect the ignition coil connectorsconnectors• Secure the engine cover Secure the engine cover

by tightening the nutsby tightening the nuts with toque wrenchwith toque wrench

• Start the vehicle to Start the vehicle to ensure successfulensure successful installation of the installation of the spark plugsspark plugs

TroubleshootingTroubleshooting

ProblemProblem CauseCause SolutionSolution

Not startingNot starting Coil Coil connectors are connectors are disconnecteddisconnected

Reconnect the Reconnect the coil coil connectorsconnectors

Engine runs Engine runs rough, rough, hesitateshesitates

Spark plugs Spark plugs are loose are loose

Use torque Use torque wrench and wrench and tighten the tighten the loose spark loose spark plugsplugs

Questions???Questions???